Hidden for over 70 years, Cardiff’s dock feeder canal is being revealed once again as the centrepiece for an innovative urban regeneration project, ‘The Canal Quarter’. Originally constructed in 1834 to supply water to the Bute Docks, much of the canal was culverted in 1949. In 2020, Cardiff Council commissioned AtkinsRéalis to be the lead designers for this scheme, deculverting the canal to create a unique, sustainably designed place for people and nature in the city, with new opportunities to boost the city’s economy.
The site is located on the eastern side of Cardiff, in a dense urban neighbourhood, surrounded by mixed-use developments that have been struggling with economic decline, in part due to competition from the centrally located St David’s shopping centre. The street – Churchill Way was also an uninviting space for people, with the area dominated by vehicular use, a large roadway, parking spaces, bus stops and a large taxi rank.
This project, funded by Cardiff Council, forms Phase 1 of a wider masterplan whose primary objective is to provide a series of public spaces, centred around the daylighted canal. This ambitious, landscape-centric plan aims to boost existing businesses, increase the viability of development opportunities for new homes, offices, and retail spaces, and, in turn, create a unique, vibrant, and dynamic place to visit, live, and work in.
Since opening, the council’s investment has already begun to pay off, with significant private investment flowing into the area due to the increased desirability of the public realm. As a direct result of the regeneration, new eateries, bars and pubs have already opened, and significant investment is planned for the adjacent shopping centre. Existing businesses have also seen an increase in footfall, with people making a visit to The Canal Quarter a highlight of their leisure time.
“This project is truly transformational for Cardiff City Centre and is an exemplar of the sustainable regeneration and environmental principles that the city is continuing to implement. Visitor numbers have already increased significantly, as has investment, with new businesses opening in the immediate area, keen to be part of the new and unique district. We are excited to oversee this new chapter for Cardiff and we hope to deliver the future phases as soon as possible.”
Andrew Gregory, Director of Planning, Transport and Environment, Cardiff Council
Thanks to the opening of the dock feeder, the city’s resilience to climate change will also be boosted. Cardiff is the UK city at highest risk of flooding due to climate change and is in the top 10 of most at-risk cities globally. As such, Cardiff remains committed to implementing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) across its streets and spaces. The completed design seamlessly incorporates SuDS whilst providing a valuable, mixed-use space for people and nature. Surface water is captured and cleaned in bioretention areas before passing into the canal via a series of dynamic water spouts that enhance the design’s functionality. The waterfall feature at the northern end of the scheme also improves water quality by recirculating water from the canal, whilst adding to the ambience of the space with a calming soundscape. All of this has been achieved within a constrained and complicated city centre environment.
Due to The Canal Quarter’s integrated SuDS design, approximately 3,900m3 of water is prevented from entering the combined sewer network per annum – the equivalent to 26,000 bathtubs. It is estimated that, on an annual basis, this can save up to 4,600kWh of energy being used for sewage pumping and thus prevent 750kg of CO2 emissions – an equivalent to 4,000 car miles.
The central feature of the design is the cantilevered stage with a tensile canopy. Its inclusion has enhanced the space’s versatility, enabling cultural events such as performances by local musicians, interactive art installations, and community events. Other features, such as the pergola, create vertical urban greening and spaces for people to relax, all whilst capturing and cleaning surface water.
Biodiversity has been boosted in the area with a diverse range of planting. Climate-resilient and pollinator-friendly species have been included throughout the area, with bees and butterflies often spotted. The canal’s ecosystem has also been improved with the inclusion of wetland islands, providing shelter for fish and resting places for waterfowl and River Otters, which have been spotted throughout the year.
Lighting has also been integrated throughout the scheme, making the space welcoming both day and night and providing unique illumination within the canal. This has reinforced its credentials as a place with dark hours appeal, as well as many seasonal attractions. Unique displays have also been introduced into the space – including the ‘Illuminated Reeds Symphony’, an interactive sound and light installation, as well as the ‘Cardiff Kids Xmas Lights’ project.
The Canal Quarter
Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Client: Cardiff Council
Design: AtkinsRéalis
Project Management: AtkinsRéalis
Project Lead: Ben Ferguson CMLI, AtkinsRéalis
Principal Contractor: Knights Brown
Specialist designers: Fountains & Features (water feature), Base Structures (tensile canopy)
Photography: David Millington Copyright AtkinsRéalis; and AtkinsRéalis;